Hey guys. I have a 2003, 5 speed, manual. I understand Xterra's fuel use but I have never heard of a vehicle that getting worse gas mileage on the highway than in the city. I get about 16 mpg city and about 14.5 - 15 highway. I am running at about 3400 rpm at 70 mph. Is this normal?

Thanks.

as far as I remember..mine does 16~17 mpg and 70 mph at 3000 rpm.

Sometimes.

If the city use insn't too stop and go, and the hwy is at 70 mph or more, it can happen.

Trucks are not that aerodynamic, and, over about 45 - 50 mph, the wind drag becomes significant, and mpg will plummet.

If I go a steady 65 mph, I get about 20 mpg...if I go 70, I drop to more like 17 mpg...and if its not steady, that 17 will become 14, etc.

If I go a steady 55-60 mph, I get closer to 20 -23 mpg.

If I do all city, I get closer to 12-16 mpg, depending upon the idling time, etc.

So there's a definite overlap in city/hwy mpg.

Thanks,
I kind of figured that might be what was going on it was just really weird. I just wanted to get someone else's opinion. I don't get it out on the highway much but we're getting ready for a nice little 11 hour drive this weekend so I was just double checking.

Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays.

Totally agree with you here, I see guys flying by at 90 and I bet they are the ones at the pump wondering why little Billy wont have a pony for christmas ( Billy is an especially frilly boy apparantly...) I would drive slower and try to buy some BG44k fuel system cleaner. I just used it in mine and it helped a ton. Up from avg of 16-17 mpg to 18-20... It would especially help on a long road trip by giving the cleaner time to work... Just another thought.